Whether it’s the luck of the draw or not, Joanie’s lot in life has not been an easy one.

Joanie came to the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter after her owners were evicted and they abandoned her in their old house; sadly, given her condition, this callous action was just a continuation of what must have been long-term neglect.

Joanie is a five-year-old gray and white cat whose sweet nature is unaltered by her previous owners or by nearly six months of kennel life at the animal shelter.

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Until recently, Joanie has been unavailable for adoption because of the extent of the skin condition the shelter staff has been treating. Even though this treatment meant periodic baths for Joanie, she remained a sweet cat who continues to appreciate every kindness that’s shown to her.

Joanie’s a treasure whose health is returning. She’s now negative for the skin issue — her soft coat is returning and in time her natural beauty will be restored.

Now available for adoption, Joanie’s up at the front of her kennel hoping someone will fall for her gorgeous eyes and sweet disposition. She’s ideal for someone looking for a friendly, talkative cat who doesn’t take kindness for granted.

For more information about Joanie (ID No. 208916), call the volunteer line at the animal services shelter at 781-4413 or visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/aserv. The shelter is at 885 Oklahoma Ave., off Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo. Visit the website to see more shelter animals available for adoption.

The adoption fee is $80 for cats and $105 for dogs, plus a $25 county license fee for dogs if the adopters are San Luis Obispo County residents. The adoption fee includes a spay or neuter operation, basic vaccinations, a microchip, eligibility for a free veterinarian check, a new collar and ID tag. Cat adopters also receive a carrier.

Here’s a look at upcoming pet-related events in San Luis Obispo County:

Cause 4 Paws Thrift Shop collecting donations to benefit animals

Cause 4 Paws Thrift Shop in Atascadero is collecting dog and cat carriers, towels, blankets, dog clothing, leashes, collars, dog and cat food and other animal-related items for use in local shelters and for the homeless community with animals. Items can be dropped off at the thrift shop at 4303 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

Donations are also being accepted for the shop’s parking lot sale which will be 9 a.m. to 1p.m. May 1 to raise money for feral cat feeding programs in Atascadero and Santa Margarita. Donations of items to be sold in the store are also being accepted. Sales benefit local spay and neuter programs.

It’s blooming cats at the Homeless Animal Rescue Team

It’s springtime, and it’s blooming cats at the HART shelter. From mid-April through mid-May, HART is reducing its adoption fee to $11 for all cats and kittens seven months or older. The adoption package includes spay/neuter and up-to-date vaccinations, together with a follow-up vet visit, bag of kibble, and HART ID tag and microchip.

During any season, senior cats and senior people often make ideal companions. HART’s Noble Senior Companion program matches senior citizens with senior “kitizens” (ages 8 and up), for no adoption fee.

Animals in Need Fund is collecting donations for Koda, a 6-month-old German shepherd rescue dog. Shortly after adoption, the new owners discovered that she had vascular ring anomaly, preventing solid food from getting into Koda’s stomach.

The problem is fixable with a $5,800 procedure at UC Davis. Between various organizations, $4,500 has already been raised. The family is seeking donations for the final funds. Donations can be submitted online at www.ainfund.org/donate.html (select donate “in honor of”) or by mail to 525 Sandydale Drive, Nipomo, CA 93444 (Attn: Koda’s Case). For more information, contact 619-0588.

Canceling kitten season

Woods Humane Society and San Luis Obispo County Animal Services are teaming up to offer $5 spay/neuter surgeries for cats belonging to San Luis Obispo County residents. Surgeries are limited, call 543-9316 to schedule an appointment. As surplus kittens flood area shelters, resources to provide care, veterinary treatment and adoption services are spread thin and the risk of illness to all felines increases. Join the shelters’ efforts to cancel kitten season.

Two special kittens need a special home

The North County Humane Society has two kittens who tested positive for FIV — the feline equivalent to AIDS. This means the kittens must live indoors only and live only with other cats that are similarly infected.

The kittens, Nemo and Nikki, were born on Christmas Eve and are looking for homes. Cats with FIV may live long lives, but the shelter can’t provide a health guarantee. North County Humane Society is located at 2300 Ramona Road in Atascadero. 466-5403.

If you have stories or photos of your furry, feathered or scaly friend, please send them to pettales@thetribunenews.com or Pet Tales, c/o The Tribune, P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.

About Pet Tales

If you have stories or photos of your furry, feathered or scaly friend, please send them to pettales@thetribunenews.com or Pet Tales, c/o The Tribune, P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Like our page at Facebook.com/SLOPetTales.